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Treatments and drugs
By Mayo Clinic staffSurgery is required to treat testicular torsion. In some cases, the doctor may be able to untwist the testicle by pushing on the scrotum (manual detorsion), but you'll still need surgery to prevent torsion from occurring again. If testicular torsion occurs before birth, surgery may not be possible.
Surgery for testicular torsion is usually done under general anesthesia, which means you won't be conscious. The surgery is straightforward and generally doesn't require a stay in the hospital. During surgery, your doctor will:
- Make a cut in your scrotum (a loose bag of skin under your penis that contains your testicles)
- Untwist your spermatic cord, if necessary
- Stitch one or both testicles to the inside of the scrotum to prevent rotation
Surgery to correct testicular torsion takes about an hour. After surgery, you'll need to avoid strenuous activity for one to two weeks. You can probably resume sexual activity after four to six weeks.
Testicular torsion in newborns and infants
In some cases, surgery is needed to diagnose and correct testicular torsion. This can prevent future issues with fertility or male hormone production. Deciding whether a newborn or infant should have surgery depends on the judgment of the doctor, and in some cases, the desires of the parent.
- If a boy is born with signs and symptoms of testicular torsion, it may be too late for emergency surgery to help. In some cases, the doctor may recommend a later, non-emergency surgery.
- If signs and symptoms of testicular torsion occur after birth, the doctor may recommend emergency surgery.
